MAYOR DEFENDS DEAL TO REVAMP PARADISE CENTRE

GOLD Coast Mayor Tom Tate has defended his decision to back the controversial $30m redevelopment of the Paradise Centre, saying it is “just the beginning” for the Glitter Strip’s revamp.

A majority of councillors on Tuesday night defied last-minute pleas from Surfers Paradise business owners and the area’s own councillor Darren Taylor to retake control of the Esplanade-fronting Crown land when the lease expires in 10 years.

Instead council voted to grant Challenger Group a new 30-year lease which must be drawn up by February 28 next year.

Mr Tate said the site’s redevelopment was an “exciting opportunity” for the city.

“That decision is a welcome one but it is a beginning to the polishing of the jewel of the crown of our tourism destination,” he said.

“Absolutely (the heart of Surfers Paradise has become rotten) and when you are walking through the place there at certain times of the day it is quite odorous and it is disappointing a prime location like that was let go. I don’t lay blame to anyone so what we have to do is turn a lemon into lemonade.”

Mr Tate vowed to sit down with the owners of the nearby Spirit supertower site to discuss what was planned for the location and any public beautification works which would come of that.

To honour the deal, the Paradise Centre’s esplanade must be demolished and work begun on a new public plaza and dining precinct within a year of the new lease being signed.